Technological watch

Environmental concerns and the diminishing acceptability of using petrochemical polymers require innovative synthetic approaches to materials for essential polymeric technologies such as adhesives. Biobased plant oils have been suggested as replacements for petrochemical monomers in polyurethane formulations. A variety of seed oil extracts from plants contain naturally occurring functional groups such as hydroxyl and glycidyl ether, which can be utilized in polyurethane synthesis. Most studies of bioderived polyurethane adhesives occur in solventborne systems and with chemically modified oils. However, rising concerns and manufacturing limitations of volatile organic compounds in solventborne systems warrant investigation into more sustainable and alternatives that are easier to handle. In this work, we synthesized waterborne polyurethanes comprised of oil derived from Physaria fendleri seed (naturally occurring hydroxyl functionality), hexamethylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, and dimethyl propionic acid. Acrylate copolymers were synthesized via emulsion polymerization comprised of different butyl and methylmethacrylate monomer ratios. These polymers were formulated into waterborne polyurethane/acrylic adhesive blends. The resulting formulations possess a commercially comparable peel strength of >6 N and are suggested for use in resealable food packaging applications. This study demonstrates the utility of oil derived from Physaria fendleri seeds in waterborne adhesive applications, adding value with bioderived materials and increasing sustainability of polyurethane adhesives.